Why Is There A QR Code On My Banana?

January 6th, 2012

First of all, what the heck is a QR code? According to comScore, only about 6% of people have used a QR code. A QR code is also known as a quick reference code. It’s an image (special matrix bar code) that, with the right application, smart phones can direct users to special digital content. This means that only about a third of the U.S. population even has access to the right applications (PEW found that 35% of Americans have a smart phone). It’s safe to say the audience is still small.

Of the people who have used QR codes, they are more likely to be male, young adults, and have a high household income.

Why on my banana? Well, the banana sticker implies the QR code will direct me to content about a new Alvin and the Chipmunks movie. Maybe there is hope that children will pester their parents to use the QR code. Considering most people access a QR code from home, this is a possibility.

However, it better work. Don’t want to entice anyone to land nowhere as I did with a recent QR code. These will only become more popular if valuable content is delivered.

The QR code on my banana took me to a branded space to download a free ringtone. This content might disappoint little kids since they are less likely to have a mobile phone or a mobile phone that can implement a special ringtone. Of course, if the audience using QR codes likes The Chipmunks, this was a smart move.